Frome Town Council has made history by becoming the first town council to receive a national football award. The council secured the Non-League Club Award at the prestigious Football Supporters’ Association Awards, triumphing over a competitive field of clubs from all over the UK.
The accolade is a testament to FTC’s efforts in safeguarding the future of Frome’s vibrant footballing scene through the revitalization of the Badgers Hill Stadium. Their visionary approach to repurposing the stadium and surrounding facilities as a versatile community asset, in collaboration with Frome’s football club, earned them this esteemed recognition.
In October 2022, Frome Town Council intervened to avert the imminent closure of the Badger’s Hill stadium. Subsequently, the formation of the not-for-profit Frome Town Community Benefit Society (FTCBS) took place, tasked with managing the site and spearheading its development into a thriving, multipurpose community asset. Their partnership with Frome Town AFC stands as a testament to their commitment to upholding Frome’s rich footballing heritage. The award commemorates the accomplishments achieved by the FTCBS following the takeover of Badgers Hill.
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Mel Usher, the lead councillor on the Badgers Hill project, remarked, “This national award is a fantastic endorsement of all the hard work put in by the FTCBS, by Frome Town Council, and all the members of the community who have contributed to the project. The work is far from over, but the future is bright for football in Frome, and we’re proud to have retained the stadium and clubhouse for the benefit of everyone in the town. The newly elected board of directors are looking forward to working with Frome Town AFC, Frome Town Supporters Club, and everyone with an interest in the future of Badgers Hill.”
At the awards ceremony held in London, Peter Wheelhouse, Economic Development and Regeneration Manager at Frome Town Council, along with Cllr Lisa Merryweather, Lester Silk from Frome Town Supporters Club, and Derek Graham, Chairman of Frome Town AFC, were in attendance. The award was presented by Victoria Derbyshire at Nobu in Portman Square, London.
For more information about the FTCBS, visit https://badgershillnews.org.